Is He a Hero?

We've watched quite a few films by this point that would be considered hero films, but how well do they fit the archetype?  You've heard me babbling on about how Luke Skywalker is this, Princess Leia that, and R2-D2 (along with C3PO) the comic relief, but do you agree?  Your task is to pick one of the films that we've viewed on this topic (The Hunger Games, Star Wars: A New Hope, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Here Comes the Boom, The Natural) and determine if the film, in fact, fits the archetype. You do not want to simply write simple sentences and/or a list of how the characters and elements fit, but instead a well thought-out essay discussing a film within the archetype.

If you lost the handout on the archetype, you can find it here.

The Hero Archetype

Both George Lucas and J.K. Rowling obviously understand the hero archetype; simply look at their major works (Star Wars and Harry Potter respectively).  And because of this archetype - we can thank Odysseus for being the leading hero - all hero stories contain certain elements.  Your task is to compare both Star Wars: A New Hope and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in terms of the hero archetype.  If you lost the handout, you can find it here.  Remember to use good writing conventions and at least three hundred words.

Searching for Approval

In both Catch Me if You Can and October Sky we encountered a protagonist who was desperately searching for his father's approval and also was searching to carve out his place in society.  It is also worth noting that both of the films is based on a true story.  Your task is to discuss the motivating factors of both Frank Abignale Jr. and Homer Hickam and what these factors drove them to accomplish.  Did either earn their father's approval?  How do you know?  Make sure to use specific examples and good writing conventions in your response (and also three hundred words).